Author: J.D. Tyler

"Sure, why not?" Her laugh was a little desperate. "I've encountered just about everything else, why not me getting furry?"

"It's not so bad. Actually, it's really fun to run with Jax through the woods while we're in wolf form. And then there's the hot, naked forest sex when we shift back."

This time Rowan's smile was real. "You do make a good point."

"I thought so."

They lapsed into silence and Rowan fidgeted for the rest of the trip. After what seemed forever, the plane was touching down. Scrambling out, she turned to reach for her duffel and Jax waved her off.

"Go on. I'll take this to the room you were in before."

"Thanks. I appreciate you guys coming to get me in the wee hours."

"Not a problem."

Rowan hurried to the infirmary, Kira at her side. They burst in and Noah jumped up from the desk on seeing Rowan.

"Thank Christ! Come on, the docs are waiting for you."

He hurried her to one of the rooms, a couple of doors down from Micah's, and ushered her inside. Nick, looking haggard, was propped in one corner. The two doctors hovered on either side of the bed, Melina taking Aric's vitals. There were bundles wrapped in towels, one sitting on Aric's chest, others tucked against his sides. Rowan walked over, laid her hand on one bundle. Ice packs.

"He was literally burning up," Melina told her. "Those seem to be helping."

"How is he, really?"

"Not good. Honestly, I don't know if he'll be able to bite you-if you agree to it."

"Of course I do! I lo-" She stopped herself, took a deep breath. "I want him to be the first to hear how I feel. But, yes, I agree."

"Great. Now we need to get some of your blood into his mouth, try to stimulate his instinct to clamp down on you. Give me your finger."

Rowan held out her arm, palm up. Melina snapped on a pair of latex gloves and took a finger-pricking device from the counter. Rowan hated those things. The doctor wiped the tip with alcohol and positioned the instrument, then let it snap. Blood welled and the doc squeezed to get a nice, fat drop, then swiped the drop onto her own latex-protected digit.

"I'm going to put my finger in his mouth, and hope your blood stimulates a response. It's worked before, so hopefully it will again."

"Why not let me put my finger in?"

"You can, after I make sure he's not going to become too aggressive. Step one."

"Okay."

Melina used one hand to pry Aric's jaw open. It didn't appear too difficult, as lax as his muscles were. Then the doctor eased the finger with the droplet between his lips, and seemed to be massaging his tongue. Though it was to save his life, a big part of Rowan coiled in anger at the idea of anyone touching her man's tongue, or any other part of him.

After a moment, his jaw moved. His lips closed around the finger and he began to suckle like a babe at his mother's breast-another image she could do without.

"All right, come here and we'll replace my finger with the one I poked. Be sure to squeeze out more blood first."

Rowan did as the doctor said, and slipped her finger inside Aric's mouth as Melina removed her own. It felt weird, his tongue curling around it, hot and wet. Even that small connection was far too intimate with an audience, but she resolutely ignored them. This was for Aric.

With her free hand, she stroked his hair. "Come on, baby," she whispered. "Come back to me, you stubborn man. Why the hell did you do this to yourself? Wake up so I can yell at your stupid ass."

Making a noise in the back of his throat, he sucked a little harder, more eager to get her essence. She doubted he was aware of what he was doing or why, but maybe it would bring him to the surface. A few more minutes passed, however, and he seemed to be tiring again.

"I have an idea," Rowan said to the group. "Scoot him over so I can stretch out next to him. If I envelop him in my scent, maybe that'll bring him around."

"Excellent idea," Mac said. "At this point anything is worth a shot."

Nick assisted the women in moving Aric over just enough for Rowan to lie next to him. She situated herself on her right side, facing him, and stuck her finger back into his mouth. "Now do me a favor and give us some privacy, please? He's going to bite me, or he won't. Either way, we don't need an audience hovering."

Obviously reluctant to give her assent, Melina thought for a few seconds before replying. "All right. But we'll be back to check on you both."

The group filed out and Rowan let out a sigh. "Well, at least we can talk privately. Or how about I talk and you listen? You're going to be a good wolf and bite me, do you understand? And then if you don't want a mate, I'll go back to California and you'll never have to see me again."

A small growl rumbled in his chest, and she took that as a positive sign. Snuggling closer, she nuzzled his cheek and his hair, doing her best to make sure he couldn't escape her scent. This had to work. If it didn't...

She would not lose him. Not an option.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she began to talk. And talk, until her voice was hoarse.

He floated, twisting in agony. Nightmares of fire and death consumed him.

He'd surfaced now and then, but the pain was too much. Not just physical, but the awareness of all he'd lost. He was ready to give up, to embrace the end.

And then a sweet flavor burst on his tongue. Delicious. There was something in his mouth, and it carried whatever tasted so good. Candy? No. It was warm, alive.

Flesh. Someone's finger. And... blood?

That made no sense. He was a wolf, not a vampire. But wolves liked blood when they ate a rabbit or a deer. This taste wasn't from an animal, though.

As his thoughts became more lucid, he became aware of warmth at his side. Instead of adding to the discomfort of the internal fire that raged, it was a comfort. So was the heady scent teasing his nose. Ocean spray and flowers wrapped around his senses, giving him peace, soothing the agony.

His wolf recognized the owner of that wonderful scent before he did, and whined, needing to get closer. Mate. Mine.

Rowan?

Had he said her name aloud? He tried again. "Ro?"

"I'm here, honey." Arms wrapped around him and his face was pushed against her skin.

Jesus, she smelled so good. Felt right against him. He nuzzled the curve of her neck and his canines lengthened. He longed to claim his mate, thought he shouldn't, but couldn't remember why not.

"Bite me, Aric," she whispered. "Make me yours."

Parting his lips, he let his teeth graze along the delicate skin. God help him, he couldn't resist one more second.

He struck, sinking his teeth into her neck. Her ambrosia exploded on his tongue and his body detonated. Rode wave after wave of ecstasy as his mate screamed her pleasure.

Mine!

His. For always.

"Bite me, Aric," Rowan whispered. "Make me yours."

For a second, she didn't think he would give in. His teeth scraped the curve of her neck and shoulder, and he hesitated. And then he sank his canines deep.

Instant, unbridled, bone-melting joy lit her like a torch, from the inside out. A golden thread wound its way through their souls, binding them together for always. She actually felt it, and saw it in her mind's eye, and knew it was real.

Vaguely, she was aware of screaming. That's me. God, it's so good!

Footsteps came running, the door opened. Then they must've quietly slipped away, because as she drifted back down to earth, she opened her eyes and they were alone together.

Withdrawing his fangs, Aric licked the wounds. "Mine," he rasped. "My mate."

"Yes, yours. And you're mine." She hugged him close.

Then his body went slack. At first she was alarmed, but then she realized the horrible heat that had radiated from his body was noticeably lessened. His face was relaxed, but he wore a faint smile, as though he'd just seen heaven. He was simply sleeping.

"Thank you," she said to whatever higher power had saved him. Or maybe he'd saved himself. But she had to thank someone.

And she owed him a butt-chewing when he woke up, for scaring the shit out of them all.

Sunshine. Warm, on his face.

The light didn't burn, and to Aric's surprise, he wasn't hot anymore. In fact, he was damned cozy, with someone snuggled against his side. Prying his eyes open, he let his vision adjust and craned his neck to look down at the woman whose head was resting on his chest, brown hair fanned out. He liked being her pillow, and smiled a little.

But wait-he was supposed to be sick. Dying. How was she here, and he was... normal?

Yeah, he felt fine. Tired, but okay. Thinking hard, he cast about for an explanation-and remembered. "Oh, God."

He'd bitten Rowan. Claimed her.

Mine, his wolf rumbled, immensely pleased with himself.

The man, however, was ashamed. How could he have done this? Tied her to the likes of him forever? "Rowan," he said quietly, jostling her gently. "Baby?"

She stirred some. "Mmm?"

"Ro, wake up." He kissed the top of her head, his heart beating a strange tattoo in his chest. He wanted to deny what he'd done, but he felt protective of the bond. Like his soul absolutely would not accept his denying it now.

Stretching, she raised up and gave him a sleepy smile. "You're awake. How do you feel?"

"Pretty good, actually. Better than I should."

"Oh, no. We're having no self-pity in this mating," she said firmly. "Grow a pair of balls, wolf, and use them."

His eyes widened. "Are you calling me a pussy?"

"If the vagina fits."

He choked, not sure whether to laugh or be pissed. He went with amusement, as he just didn't have the heart to be mad at his mate. She'd obviously rushed to his side, and saved his sorry ass. "Is that so? I don't care how tough you are, officer. My balls will always be bigger than yours."

"Thank God for that." Her chocolate eyes were soft with emotion. "I'm so happy the bite worked. I hope you're happy, too."

He cupped her face. "I don't deserve to be, but yes, I am."

"See, we've got to work on that 'I don't deserve you' thing. It's self-destructive, and you're wrong. Beryl and Malik are the ones who've orchestrated every step of their plan, no one else. Isn't it time you stopped taking the blame for that bitch's manipulations?"

For the first time, he really thought about that. The truth seeped in, and looking into Rowan's beautiful face, he was freed. From the horror and the guilt. All of it. "Yes, it is. I'm not saying it will be easy, but I'm willing to put it behind me for you."

"For us."

"Right. For us."

"Will you talk to Mac? Let her counsel you so you can heal? I want you healthy, honey, inside and out. It's the only way we'll make it."

He could refuse her nothing. "Sure." Something else occurred to him, a big stumbling block. "What about your job? I know how much you love being a cop."

"I do, but..." She thought for a moment. "When I left here, I felt like my heart was being ripped out. Yes, a lot of it was the mating pull, but that's not all. This place, with you in it, feels like home. Micah is here, and I know if I stay, eventually I'll be as close to the guys as I am to my own brother."

Anxiety made his pulse pound. "What are you saying?"

"That I want to stay." Tracing his lips, she whispered, "I love you."

This is happiness. I've waited so long.

"All my life I've wanted to hear those words from someone who meant them," he said in a tight voice. "Baby, I love you, too."

Their lips came together and his body ignited-in the best way possible. His cock hardened between them, demanding to get in on the lovin'. "I need to be inside you," he gasped. "I can't wait."